CAPTAIN:
I have the honor to report that this brigade was ordered by
Major-General Hill, on the morning of May 2, to leave its
position near Chancellorsville on the right of the Plank road
from Fredericksburg to Gordonsville, and move with the
division; in accordance with which order we moved with the
division a few miles, when a message was received that the
enemy had attacked, and were threatening to capture,
artillery and wagon train of the division near the foundry.
One regiment was at first sent, but the danger being reported
to be most imminent, afterward the whole brigade, with
General Archer's brigade, returned, and remained until the
train had passed and the demonstrations of the enemy had
ceased, when we moved on to overtake the division, which we
did about 11 o'clock at night.
The brigade was
placed in position by General Heth, commanding division, on
the extreme left and front, on the left of the Plank road
leading to Fredericksburg and near Chancellorsville, where we
remained until daylight.
At an early hour on
Sunday morning, the brigade was ordered to advance and attack
the enemy. We advanced at once, driving a very heavy force of
skirmishers before us. After proceeding about 250 yards, we
found the enemy in strong force in our front, behind
breastworks. The brigade charged with promptness and energy,
and at the first charge drove the enemy, utterly routed, from
their intrenched position. Advancing still farther, we found
a second line of the enemy, which we at once drove from its
position. This brigade and one regiment from the brigade on
our right (General Pender's) continuing to advance, driving
the enemy before us, met another line of the enemy. After a
sharp conflict, this line was repulsed.
At this point,
finding that there were no troops on my left and none in
supporting distance on my right or rear, and the enemy were
advancing in very heavy force on my left flank, and making
demonstrations on my right, I ordered the brigade to move
back, and took position near the line of the enemy's
breastworks, where we remained until the whole line advanced.
When the enemy had been driven back at every point, the
brigade, according to orders, rejoined the rest of the
division.
I take pleasure in
reporting that Col. R. W. Folsom, Fourteenth Georgia; Lieut.
Col. W. L. Grice, Forty-fifth Georgia; Maj. S. T. Player,
Forty-ninth Georgia, and Capt. John Duke, Thirty-fifth
Georgia, commanded their respective regiments with marked
success. All the officers and men of my command who were
present acted with the utmost coolness and the most daring
courage before the enemy.
I have to regret
the loss of several valuable officers. Captain [Robert P.]
Harman, Fourteenth Georgia, and Captain [W. H.] Shaw,
Forty-fifth Georgia, were killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel
[James M.] Fielder, Captain [T. T.] Mounger, and Lieutenant
[H. A.] Solomon fell, mortally wounded, within a few yards of
the enemy's-breastworks, gallantly leading their men to the
charge.